Cost to Cut & Install an Egress Window in a Basement

What Goes Into Egress Window Installation Cost

Wall thickness and material, opening size, the window well and grading, site access, and any rebar or services hidden in the wall — those five variables set egress window installation cost. Cutting a code-compliant opening into a cast concrete or block foundation is routine work, but no two foundations and no two backyards price the same.

At Concrete Drilling & Sawing Ltd (CDS), a family-run residential concrete construction company working out of Hamilton since 1967, egress openings are one of the jobs our mobile crews cut and install most often. Here is an honest breakdown of what moves the number.

The main cost drivers

• Wall thickness and material. An 8-inch cast concrete wall cuts differently than a 10- or 12-inch wall or a concrete-block foundation. Thicker, heavily reinforced concrete means more blade time.
• Opening size. The Ontario Building Code sets minimum dimensions for a bedroom egress window. A larger rough opening means more cutting, a bigger window unit, and a wider well.
• The window well and grading. Below-grade openings need a well, drainage stone, and sometimes a deeper excavation. This is a real driver on many quotes.
• Site access. A tight side yard, decks, AC units, or landscaping in the way slows both the dig and the concrete removal.
• What is hidden in the wall. We scan before we cut, and rebar or embedded services can change the approach.

What CDS handles, and what you coordinate separately

A clear scope is what keeps your egress window installation cost predictable. Here is exactly where our crew’s work starts and stops.

We handle the structural, dusty part: laying out the opening, saw cutting the foundation, safely lifting out the cut concrete, and setting the window and well. A diamond saw leaves a clean, straight edge that a jackhammer never will. See our look at cut-and-lift versus jackhammering for why that matters next to a finished basement.

You or your trades typically handle: final waterproofing and sealing at the new opening, interior framing and finishing, and permit sign-off. We coordinate closely so the waterproofing ties into our cut correctly, but we are upfront that we are the cutting-and-install specialists, not a general renovator.

Why a legal egress window is worth it

Beyond safety and code compliance, an egress window is what legally turns a below-grade room into a bedroom. That one change can:

• Make a basement bedroom or in-law suite rentable and insurable
• Add natural light and a proper, code-compliant escape route
• Increase the usable, countable square footage buyers pay for

For many homeowners, the value of a legal bedroom pays back the install cost within a year or two of rental income, which is why this is one of the highest-return upgrades a basement can get.

Getting an accurate number for your home

We will not post a fake flat rate. Every foundation and every backyard is different, so an honest quote has to reflect your wall and your access. The fastest way to a real figure is to request a free quote with your wall type, opening size, and site access — it takes a couple of minutes.

Our crews travel across the region from our single Hamilton base, including Hamilton, the Mississauga and Brampton area, and the Niagara Region. It is the same experienced crew and the same clean cuts, wherever your home sits.

See concrete contractor services.

More in this series: Egress Windows in Ontario · Residential Concrete Contractor in Hamilton

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cut and install an egress window?

Most standard basement egress openings are cut and set in a single day once the exterior is excavated. Heavily reinforced walls, oversized openings, or tight access can stretch that timeline.

Do I need a permit for an egress window?

Usually, yes. Altering a foundation and creating a legal bedroom typically requires a building permit in Ontario. We cut to your approved opening size; the permit itself is arranged by you or your contractor.

Can you cut an egress window in a block or brick foundation?

Yes. Our saws handle cast concrete, concrete block, and masonry. We scan and assess the wall first so we cut cleanly without weakening the structure above the opening.

Will cutting the opening crack my foundation?

Not when it is done properly. Precise saw cutting releases the section cleanly, unlike percussive breaking, and we plan the opening and lintel so the wall above stays fully supported.

Ready for a real number on your basement egress window? Call CDS at (905) 529-6029 or request a free quote online. Ontario’s longest-running concrete cutting company has been getting these openings right since 1967.